oubtful whether she heard Grace's last
words. She stood perfectly still, a curious look on her beautiful face.
Suddenly she said in a low, halting tone, "Miss Harlowe, if you knew
how--"

A knock on the door interrupted her speech. Without finishing, she
stepped to it and turned the knob. "Hello, Mary," she said
indifferently.

"Oh, Miss Harlowe, I didn't know that you had come home," cried Mary
Reynolds. "We have all missed you dreadfully, haven't we, Evelyn?"

"Yes," replied Evelyn in her usual indifferent fashion. Then as Grace
turned to go she said sweetly, "Thank you so much for your kindness to
me, Miss Harlowe."

But Grace reflected disappointedly as she went slowly into her own room
that Mary Reynolds' innocent interruption had occurred just in time to
prevent the establishment with Evelyn of the very footing which she had
been trying all year to gain.

CHAPTER XVII

A WEEK-END IN NEW YORK

True to her promise Grace wrote to Arline Thayer that very evening
concerning the sum of money which Evelyn wished to borrow, and three
days later she opened a fat letter from the president of Semper Fidelis
from which fell the magic slip of paper which, for Evelyn, meant the way
out of her difficulties. Grace pounced with delight upon the letter and
was soon deep in its contents.

"We saw Anne as 'Ophelia' last Friday night," Arline wrote. "After the
play father gave a little supper for her at our house and invited the
Southards, Mabel and Mr. Ashe, Elfreda, Miriam Nesbit and her brother.
Miriam came to New York to visit and shop, and it is not hard to guess
why her brother came with her. We were all so surprised to see her, and
so delighted. She is staying with the Southards, and, Grace, I do
believe Everett Southard is in love with her. It is hard to say whether
she returns his love, for she doesn't manifest the slightest sign of it.
Wouldn't it be splendid if they did decide to go through life together?
He is so clever, and a great actor too. Mabel's lawyer has won the most
difficult case he ever fought for. He has persuaded Mabel to wear his
ring. Their engagement is to be announced next week. I suppose you will
hear from Mabel before many days. How I wish you were here. We all miss
you so. Can't you come to New York for a week end before Easter? Do try
to arrange it. I have so many things to tell you. It would take an age
to write them. Think it over and decide to come. With my dearest love,
Arline"